Combination funnel and measure



ec. w, 1935.

F. J. KNEER COMBINATION FUNNEL AND MEASURE Filed April 2, 1934 Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in combination funnels and measures and the object is to provide in a simple, inexpensive, durable and convenient form a graduated funnel including a spout, a means for stopping up said spout for use of the funnel as a measure and auxiliary spout elements of different sizes for different use adapted for removable insertion into the funnel spout and for support or storage when not in use in carriers at the side of the funnel, one of the said auxiliary spouts having a fine mesh straining screen.

With this and other objects in view the invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter fully set forth and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention.

Figure 2 is a medial vertical cross section therethrough.

Figure 3 is a detached vertical cross section through the strainer spout.

Referring now with more particularity to the drawing my invention comprises a funnel or funnel body 4 preferably, though not necessarily, of elongated rectangular form with its two opposed front and rear sides 5 and 6 tapering or converging downwardly to a narrow bottom 1 midway of which a spout 8 is placed communicating through opening 9 with the interior of the funnel. This spout 8 may be of any desired diameter and length and has a downwardly opening bayonet slot It at its lower end. An operating bar or arm H is slidably mounted within the rear side 6 through a bracket l2 secured thereto and through a slot lZa in an inturned lip ta on the funnel, and at its lower end the bar is bent inward to form a foot I3 to which a stopper or plug it of cork or the like is aflixed by screw 55, this plug being adapted to enter and seal the spout opening 9 when the bar I l is pushed downward as will be evident. An outwardly turned finger piece 55 is provided on the upper end of the bar for its manipulation and is located directly over the handle ll which is secured by rivets H8 or the like to the rear side 6. A flat leaf spring 19 is mounted under the plug mounting screw l5 and is bent angularly upward to terminate in a rounded hook or latch 25 adapted toslip past the bracket 92 as the bar H is raised and thereafter hold the bar raised until again pressed downward, this operation being readily performed by the thumb of the hand grasping the handle H.

An auxiliary spout 2| (shown in place in Figure 1) is provided having a large mouth por tion 22 adapted to slip freely into the end of the spout 8 where it is secured by entering the pin 23 into the bayonet slot Ill. The lower portion 24 of the funnel being reduced in diameter the funnel is thus suitable for use in filling jugs, bot- 5 tles and the like into which the large spout 8 could not be inserted. When not in use the auxiliary spout 2| is placed at its reduced portion 28 through an aperture 25 in a carrier arm 26 which is formed integrally with and extended outward from the lower end of the handle II. This arm 26 is preferably somewhat resilient andis positioned and tensioned so as to press the large mouth portion 22 of the spout 2! against the handle H as shown whereby the spout is securely held in place against accidental displacement. To facilitate placing the spout in the aperture the arm 26 is bent downward at its outer end 21. The aperture 25 is sufficiently larger than the reduced portion 24 of the spout to permit 0 the play necessary in inserting or removing the spout from its carrier.

A strainer spout 28 is provided and is of cylindrical form and of such diameter as to slip freely into the spout 8 to which it may be secured by a 25 pin 29 entering the bayonet slot Hi. Either or both ends of the spout 28 may be covered by fine mesh straining screen 30 for obvious purpose and when not in use this spout is carried in a U-shaped or rounded clip or bracket 3! secured 30 to the rear side 6 of the funnel near one lower corner and having a bayonet slot 32 to receive the pin 29 and hold the spout in place. A diametrically extended handle 33 is provided across one end of the strainer spout to facilitate han- 35 dling.

The funnel may have any suitable graduations 34 to denote the quantity of its contents.

The uses to which the invention may be put are manifold as will be apparent. As an example for use around an automobile, tractor or engine, the radiator may be filled, any desired quantity of oil measured and put in the crankcase or other parts, any desired quantity of gasoline measured, strained and put in the tank and oil drawn off and put in bottles or jugs all with the one funnel and by judicious use of the auxiliary and strainer spouts.

It is thought that further details of the utility and operation of the device will be understood without further description and while I have herein set forth a certain preferred embodiment of my invention it is understood that I may vary from the same in minor details so as best to provide a practical device for the purposes intended side of the funnel near the outlet thereof freely around the operating bar, and a leaf spring extended from the end of the operating bar carrying the stopper plug outwardly and adapted to engage the said bracket engaging the operating bar on the outward movement of that bar, for releasably holding the bar in its outward position relative to the funnel and when mounted thereon.

FRANCIS J. KNEER. 

